Anywhere in the world of motorcycling, especially where racing has been popular, there comes a day when people start to wonder where their friends, heroes or fellow competitors have gone. Sadly, we usually know the fate of those lost on the track, or in some off-track accident. But what became of those who slipped quietly into the background is a question many would love to have answered.

1980 was a time when big-bore Formula One racing was catching on worldwide, and the crowds loved it! The bikes were big, made lots of noise and in the right hands they could sometimes take on production GP machines.

Every racing motorcycle has a story to tell, but a chance encounter with Carlos Lavado revealed that this TZ may have a more interesting history than most. At that moment we could not have guessed how interesting it was. John Parnham charts a journey of painstaking research.

The Isle of Man is reliant on the services of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company to transport the vast majority of the Island’s needs, not least the tourists that flock to Mona’s Isle, especially for the TT and Manx Grand Prix.

’Ullo, ’ullo! What’s an Italian motorcycle doing on Steve Cooper’s Japanese pages? It’s all about comparisons and giving praise where it’s due, that’s what – and something the more extreme ‘Jap knockers’ might consider reciprocating once in a while?

Before Royal Enfield’s sensationally-styled Continental GT made its debut, the 250cc Crusader line had already evolved into two variations on a very agreeable five-speed theme – the leading link front fork Super 5 and the sporty-looking Continental. This is how the road testers of the day saw them.